1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-ones and antimicrobial cationic polycarbonates therefrom

ABSTRACT

Eight-membered ring cyclic carbonates comprising a ring nitrogen at position 6 (1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-ones) were prepared by reaction of precursor diols with active carbonates. The ring nitrogen is linked to a pendant group Y′ via a methylene linking group. The cyclic carbonates undergo organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization to form an initial polycarbonate comprising a backbone tertiary amine group. Quaternization of the initial polycarbonates forms cationic polycarbonates comprising a positive-charged backbone quaternary nitrogen. The cationic polycarbonates can be potent antimicrobial agents.

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

This invention was made under a joint research agreement between International Business Machines Corporation and the Agency For Science, Technology and Research.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to 1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-ones and antimicrobial polycarbonates formed therefrom by organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization, and more specifically to antimicrobial cationic polycarbonates comprising a quaternary nitrogen in the polycarbonate backbone.

Current ring opening polymerizations of cyclic carbonates are limited by the lack of main chain functionality in the polycarbonate other than the carbonate functionality. The incorporation of heteroatoms (e.g., nitrogen) in the polymer backbone is hampered by monomer instability. Heteroatom incorporation other than the carbonate oxygens within a 7-membered ring or smaller ring monomer produces an unstable species (e.g., acetals, hemiaminals, and thioacetals for 6-membered and 7-membered rings, and peroxides and N-oxides for 5-membered rings).

Cyclic carbonate monomers comprising a ring heteroatom in addition to the carbonate oxygens are needed, in particular those comprising a ring nitrogen. Also needed are methods of ring opening polymerizations that produce polymers bearing a heteroatom other than carbonate oxygens.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a compound is disclosed of formula (1):

wherein

ring positions are numbered 1 to 8,

each R′ is an independent monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 to 10 carbons, and

Y′ is a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 or more carbons.

Also disclosed is a method, comprising:

forming a mixture comprising, an organocatalyst, a solvent, a nucleophilic initiator comprising one or more nucleophilic groups capable of initiating a ring opening polymerization, an optional accelerator, and a compound of formula (1):

wherein

ring positions are numbered 1 to 8,

each R′ is an independent monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 to 10 carbons, and

Y′ is a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 or more carbons;

agitating the mixture, thereby forming an initial polymer by ring opening polymerization of the compound, the initial polymer comprising a basic repeat unit comprising a backbone carbonate group and a backbone tertiary nitrogen, the backbone nitrogen capable of reacting with a quaternizing agent to form a positive-charged backbone quaternary nitrogen; and

treating the initial polymer with the quaternizing agent, thereby forming a cationic polymer comprising a cationic repeat unit comprising the backbone carbonate group and the positive-charged backbone quaternary nitrogen, the quaternary nitrogen linked to 4 carbons.

Also disclosed is a cationic polymer having a structure according to formula (6): I″-[Q′-E″]_(n′)  (6), wherein

n′ is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1,

each Q′ is an independent divalent polymer chain comprising a cationic repeat unit, wherein the cationic repeat unit comprises i) a backbone portion comprising a backbone carbonate group, ii) a positive-charged backbone quaternary nitrogen linked to 4 carbons, iii) a first side chain portion having a structure *—CH₂—Y′, wherein the starred bond is linked to the backbone quaternary nitrogen, and Y′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 or more carbons, and iv) a second side chain portion comprising 1 or more carbons, wherein one carbon of the second side chain portion is linked to the quaternary nitrogen,

I″ has a valency of n′, I″ comprises 1 or more carbons, and I″ comprises n′ heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, wherein each of the heteroatoms is linked to a respective Q′ terminal backbone carbonyl group,

each E″ is a monovalent second end group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and moieties comprising 1 to 50 carbons, wherein each E″ is linked to a respective Q′ terminal backbone oxygen, and

the cationic polymer is an effective antimicrobial agent.

Further disclosed is a method of killing a microbe, comprising contacting the microbe with an above-described cationic polymer.

Also disclosed is a medical composition for treating wounds and/or infections, comprising one or more of the above-described cationic polymers.

Also disclosed is a cationic polymer of formula (8): E″-Q′-I″-Q′-E″  (8), wherein

each Q′ is an independent divalent polymer chain comprising a cationic repeat unit, wherein the cationic repeat unit comprises i) a backbone portion comprising a backbone carbonate group, ii) a positive-charged backbone quaternary nitrogen linked to 4 carbons, iii) a first side chain portion having a structure *—CH₂—Y′, wherein the starred bond is linked to the backbone quaternary nitrogen, and Y′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 or more carbons, and iv) a second side chain portion comprising 1 or more carbons, wherein one carbon of the second side chain portion is linked to the quaternary nitrogen,

I″ is a divalent radical comprising 1 or more carbons, and I″ comprises 2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, wherein each of the heteroatoms is linked to a respective Q′ terminal backbone carbonyl group,

each E″ is an independent monovalent second end group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and moieties comprising 1 to 50 carbons, wherein each E″ is linked to a respective Q′ terminal backbone oxygen.

The above-described and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph of number average molecular weight versus average degree of polymerization of polymers P-1 to P-4 (before quaternization).

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the % hemolysis of rat red blood cells as a function of concentration (mg/L) of cationic polymer Examples 21 to 23 (Q-1 to Q-3).

FIG. 3 is a bar graph showing the percent cell viability of HDF and HEK293 cells as a function of cationic polymer concentration.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing colony forming units/mL of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as a function of Q-3 concentration.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing colony forming units/mL of Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a function of Q-3 concentration.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing colony forming units/mL of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) as a function of Q-3 concentration.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing colony forming units/mL of Candida albicans (C. albicans) as a function of Q-3 concentration.

FIG. 8 is a bar graph showing the killing efficiency of Q-3 against S. aureus.

FIG. 9 is a bar graph showing the killing efficiency of Q-3 against C. albicans.

FIG. 10 is a bar graph showing the killing efficiency of Q-3 against E. coli.

FIG. 11 is a bar graph showing the biomass of biofilms formed with E. coli and S. aureus as a function of Q-3 concentration (2, 4, 8, 10, 12, and 16×MIC).

FIG. 12 is a bar graph showing the cell viability of E. coli and S. aureus as a function of Q-3 concentration (2, 4, 8, 10, 12, and 16×MIC).

FIG. 13 is a magnification series of scanning electron micrograph (SEM) images of S. aureus cells after treatment for 2 hours with a lethal dose of Q-3.

FIG. 14 is a magnification series of SEM images of E. coli cells after treatment for 2 hours with a lethal dose of Q-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed are 1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-ones, hereinafter referred to as “first cyclic monomers,” that undergo organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization (ROP), thereby forming an initial polymer comprising a tertiary nitrogen in the polymer backbone. Treating the initial polymer with a suitable quaternizing agent produces a cationic polymer comprising a positive charged quaternary nitrogen in the cationic polymer backbone. The cationic polymers can be potent antimicrobial agents against Gram-negative microbes, Gram-positive microbes, yeast, fungi, and combinations thereof.

The initial polymer comprises a basic repeat unit. The basic repeat unit comprises a backbone portion (i.e., a portion of the initial polymer backbone) and a side chain portion. The backbone portion of the basic repeat unit comprises a carbonate group and a tertiary nitrogen linked to three carbons. The side chain portion has a structure *—CH₂—Y′, wherein the starred bond is linked to the tertiary nitrogen and Y′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 or more carbons.

The initial polymer can be a homopolymer, random copolymer, or block copolymer comprising the basic repeat unit. The initial polymer can include one or more polymer chain segments comprising the basic repeat unit. At least one of the polymer chain segments comprises the basic repeat unit. For example, each block of the block copolymer is a polymer chain segment that can be a homopolymer or copolymer, wherein at least one block comprises the basic repeat unit. The initial polymer can comprise the one or more polymer chain segments in a linear or branched arrangement of repeat units. Branched structures can include star polymers, graft polymers, brush polymers, mikto-arm polymers and dendritic polymers.

The cationic polymer comprises a cationic repeat unit. The cationic repeat unit comprises a backbone portion (i.e., a portion of the cationic polymer backbone), a first side chain portion and a second side chain portion. The backbone portion of the cationic repeat unit comprises a backbone carbonate group and a backbone positive-charged quaternary nitrogen, which is covalently bonded to four carbons. The quaternary nitrogen of the backbone is not covalently bonded to any hydrogen. The positive-charged quaternary nitrogen is linked to a carbon of the first side chain portion and to a carbon of the second side chain portion. The first side chain portion has a structure *—CH₂—Y′, wherein the starred bond is linked to the quaternary nitrogen. The second side chain portion is a moiety comprising at least one carbon.

The cationic polymer can be a homopolymer, random copolymer, or block copolymer comprising the basic repeat unit. The cationic polymer can include one or more polymer chain segments, wherein at least one of the polymer chain segments comprises the cationic repeat unit. For example, each block of the block copolymer can be a homopolymer or a copolymer, wherein at least one block comprises the cationic repeat unit. The cationic polymer can comprise the one or more polymer chain segments in a linear or branched arrangement of repeat units. Branched structures can include star polymers, graft polymers, brush polymers, dendritic polymers, mikto-arm polymers and the like.

More specifically, the first cyclic monomers have a structure according to formula (1):

wherein

ring positions are numbered 1 to 8,

each R′ is an independent monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 to 10 carbons, and

Y′ is a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 or more carbons.

The tertiary nitrogen at ring position 6 is bonded to three carbons as shown in formula (1). In an embodiment, each R′ is hydrogen.

Non-limiting examples of Y′ include hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, phenyl, and substituted phenyl. Y′ can include additional functionality such as, for example, ester, amide, carbamate, thioester, ketone, ether, amine, nitrogen-containing heterocycle, oxygen-containing heterocycle, olefin, acetylene, nitrile, bicyclic rings, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of *—CH₂Y′ groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, benzyl, and substituted benzyl.

The first cyclic monomers can be prepared from amine-diols of formula (2):

wherein

each R′ is an independent monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 to 10 carbons, and

Y′ is a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 or more carbons.

The first cyclic monomers can be prepared by treating an amine-diol of formula (2) with a carbonate forming compound. Although a base catalyst is not essential; the reaction is preferably conducted using a base (e.g., triethylamine).

Non-limiting carbonate forming compounds include phosgene, triphosgene, ethylchloroformate, diphenylcarbonate, bis-(pentafluorophenyl)carbonate, bis-(pentachlorophenyl)carbonate, and the like.

The first cyclic monomers undergo organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization (ROP) to form the initial polymer. The ROP can include other cyclic carbonyl monomers, including cyclic carbonates and/or cyclic esters that can serve as diluents (comonomers) for the first cyclic monomers. As non-limiting examples, a polymer chain segment of the initial polymer can be a polycarbonate copolymer comprising two or more different carbonate repeat units, or a polyestercarbonate copolymer, comprising at least one carbonate repeat unit and one ester repeat unit.

The first cyclic monomer can be stereospecific or non-stereospecific.

Initial Polymers

The initial polymer can have a structure according to formula (3):

wherein

n′ is an positive integer greater than or equal to 1,

each P′ is a divalent polymer chain comprising one or more polymer chain segments, a terminal backbone carbonyl group, and a terminal backbone oxygen, wherein at least one of the polymer chain segments comprises a basic carbonate repeat unit,

I′ is a radical having a valency of 1 or more, wherein I′ comprises 1 or more carbons,

the backbone carbonyl group of each P′ is linked to a respective independent heteroatom of I′ selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur;

the basic carbonate repeat unit comprises a backbone portion and a first side chain portion, the backbone portion comprising a backbone carbonate group and a backbone tertiary nitrogen, the first side chain portion having a structure *—CH₂—Y′, wherein the starred bond is linked to the backbone tertiary nitrogen and Y′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 or more carbons,

E′ is a monovalent second end group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and moieties comprising 1 to 50 carbons, and

the terminal backbone oxygen of each P′ is linked to a respective E′.

I′ can be a residue of a nucleophilic initiator for an organocatalyzed ROP of the first cyclic monomers, wherein the nucleophilic initiator comprises n nucleophilic sites capable of initiating the ROP, and n′ polymer chains P′ are formed by the ROP.

Each P′ can be a homopolymer, random copolymer, or block copolymer comprising the basic repeat unit. Each P′ can have an average degree of polymerization (DP) of more than 1 to about 200. In an embodiment, n′=1 and the initial polymer comprises one polymer chain P′ having an average DP of about 20 to about 100.

The initial polymer can comprise basic repeat units singularly or in combination. P′ can further comprise repeat units derived from cyclic carbonate and/or cyclic ester monomers other than the first cyclic monomers.

Each P′ preferably has a linear arrangement of repeat units (i.e., each P′ is a linear polymer chain comprising one polymer branch as opposed to intersecting polymer branches). When P′ contains two or more polymer chain segments (e.g., as a diblock copolymer chain), the different chain segments are linked by their respective chain ends, no more than two polymer chain ends are linked together by a given linking group, and the respective polymer chain segments are not linked together in the form of a cyclic polymer structure.

I′ can be a residue of a nucleophilic initiator for the organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization used to form P′, or a derivative of the residue. Preferably, I′ comprises n′ number of independent heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, wherein each of the heteroatoms is linked in the form of a carbonate, carbamate or thiocarbonate group to a respective P′ terminal backbone carbonyl group′ (i.e., to the “carbonyl end” of P′).

I′ can comprise a biologically active moiety such as, for example a steroid group and/or a vitamin. I′ can comprise a polymer such as, for example a poly(ethylene oxide) chain segment. In an embodiment, I′ is a residue of a mono-endcapped mono-nucleophilic polyethylene oxide initiator (e.g., mono-methylated polyethylene glycol (mPEG)). In another embodiment, I′ comprises 1 to 50 carbons. In yet another embodiment, I′ is an alkoxy or aryloxy group comprising 1 to 10 carbons.

Each E′ is preferably linked to a terminal backbone oxygen at the opposing end of a respective polymer chain P′, referred to herein as the “oxy end” of P′. When E′ is hydrogen, P′ has a terminal hydroxy group (i.e., a living chain end capable of initiating another ring opening polymerization). When E′ is not hydrogen, E′ can be any suitable end group comprising 1 to 50 carbons. In an embodiment, E′ is an acyl group comprising 1 to 15 carbons (e.g., acetyl group).

The basic repeat unit of the initial polymer has a structure according to formula (4):

wherein

backbone atoms of the basic repeat unit are numbered 1 to 8,

the starred bonds represent attachment points to other repeat units and/or end groups of the initial polymer,

each R′ is an independent monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 to 10 carbons, and

*—CH₂—Y′ is a first side chain, wherein Y′ is a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, and groups comprising 1 or more carbons.

The tertiary nitrogen of formula (4) is bonded to two backbone carbons labeled 5 and 7 and to the methylene carbon of the first side chain *—CH₂—Y′. In an embodiment, each R′ is hydrogen.

In an embodiment, n′=1. A non-limiting example of an initial polymer of formula (4) wherein n′=1 is the polycarbonate A-1:

In this example, the initial polymer A-1 has one polymer chain P′ which has one polymer chain segment. In this example, P′ is a polycarbonate homopolymer of the basic repeat unit shown in parentheses. A-1 has a linear polymer arrangement of the basic repeat units, which are linked in a head-to-tail arrangement, wherein carbon 2 represents the head, and oxygen 3 represents the tail. Polymer chain P′ of A-1 has two polymer chain ends linked to respective end groups I′ and E′. The carbonyl end and oxy end of P′ are indicated by arrows. The basic repeat unit of A-1 has a structure according to formula (4) wherein each R′ is H and Y′ is phenyl. The first end group I′ is benzyloxy, and the second end group E′ is hydrogen. Subscript n′ represents the degree of polymerization, and has an average value of 2 to 200. A-1 has a living end containing a primary alcohol, which can potentially initiate a ring opening polymerization.

Another more specific initial polymer comprises two polymer chains P′ (n′=2 in formula (4)). In this instance, the initial polymer can have a structure in accordance with formula (5): E^(a)-P^(a)-I^(a)-P^(b)-E^(b)  (5), wherein

P^(a) is a first divalent polymer chain comprising one or more polymer chain segments, wherein at least one of the polymer chain segments comprises a basic repeat unit,

P^(b) is a second divalent polymer chain comprising one or more polymer chain segments, wherein at least one of the polymer chain segments comprises a basic carbonate repeat unit,

the basic carbonate repeat unit comprises a backbone portion and a first side chain portion, the backbone portion comprising a backbone carbonate group and a backbone tertiary nitrogen, the first side chain portion having a structure *—CH₂—Y′, wherein the starred bond is linked to the backbone tertiary nitrogen and Y′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 or more carbons,

I^(a) is a divalent linking group covalently bound to the respective carbonyl ends of P^(a) and P^(b),

E^(a) is a monovalent first end group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and moieties comprising 1 to 50 carbons, wherein E^(a) is linked to the oxy end of P^(a), and

E^(b) is a monovalent second end group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and moieties comprising 1 to 50 carbons, wherein E^(b) is linked to the oxy end of P^(b).

P^(a) can have an average degree of polymerization of more than 1 to about 200. P^(a) can be a homopolymer, random copolymer, or block copolymer comprising the basic repeat unit.

P^(b) can have an average degree of polymerization of more than 1 to about 200. P^(b) can be a homopolymer, random copolymer, or block copolymer comprising the basic repeat unit.

In an embodiment, I^(a) is a residue of a di-nucleophilic initiator for the organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization used to prepare E^(a)-P^(a)-I^(a)-P^(b)-E^(b). In this instance, I^(a) comprises two heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, wherein the two heteroatoms are independently linked in the form of carbonate, carbamate, or thiocarbonate groups to respective carbonyl ends of P^(a) and P^(b). I^(a) can be a derivative of the residue of the di-nucleophilic initiator for the ROP.

I^(a) can comprise a polymer such as, for example, a divalent poly(ethylene oxide) chain. I^(a) can comprise a biologically active group such as a steroid and/or a vitamin. In an embodiment, I^(a) is a residue of a di-nucleophilic polyethylene glycol initiator for the ROP. In another embodiment, I^(a) comprises 1 to 50 carbons. In another embodiment, I^(a) is a residue of an ester of 2,2-dimethylol propionic acid.

E^(a) is linked to the oxy end of P^(a). When E^(a) is hydrogen, P^(a) has a terminal hydroxy group (i.e., a living chain end potentially capable of initiating another ring opening polymerization). When E^(a) is not hydrogen, E^(a) can be any suitable end group comprising 1 to 50 carbons. In an embodiment, E^(a) is an acyl group comprising 1 to 10 carbons.

E^(b) is linked to the oxy end of P^(b). When E^(b) is hydrogen, P^(b) has a terminal hydroxy group (i.e., a living chain end potentially capable of initiating another ring opening polymerization). When E^(b) is not hydrogen, E^(b) can be any suitable end group comprising 1 to 50 carbons. In an embodiment, E^(b) is an acyl group comprising 1 to 10 carbons.

A non-limiting example of an initial polymer of formula (5) is A-2:

The initial polymer A-2 is a linear polymer containing two polymer chains linked by respective chain ends to divalent linking group I^(a). Each polymer chain P^(a) and P^(b) of A-2 is a polycarbonate homopolymer of the basic repeat unit in parentheses. The carbonyl ends and oxy ends of each polymer chain P^(a) and P^(b) are labeled in A-2. The basic repeat unit of each polymer chain has a structure according to formula (4), wherein each R′ is H and Y′ is phenyl. I^(a) is benzyl 2,2-bis(oxymethylene)propionate, E^(a) is hydrogen, and E^(b) is hydrogen. Subscripts a′ and b′ represent degree of polymerization and independently have average values of more than 1 to about 200. The initial polymer A-2 has two living ends containing primary alcohols, each potentially capable of initiating a ring opening polymerization.

The initial polymers can be stereospecific or non-stereospecific.

Cationic Polymers

When treated with a suitable amine quaternizing agent, the initial polymers form cationic polymers comprising cationic repeat units. The cationic repeat units comprise a positive-charged backbone quaternary nitrogen linked to 4 carbons.

Quaternization of initial polymers of structure I′-[P′-E′]_(n′) produces cationic polymers having a structure in accordance with formula (6): I″-[Q′-E″]_(n′)  (6), wherein

n′ is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1,

each Q′ is an independent divalent polymer chain comprising a cationic repeat unit, wherein the cationic repeat unit comprises i) a backbone portion comprising a backbone carbonate group, ii) a positive-charged backbone quaternary nitrogen linked to 4 carbons, iii) a first side chain portion having a structure *—CH₂—Y′, wherein the starred bond is linked to the backbone quaternary nitrogen, and Y′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 or more carbons, and iv) a second side chain portion comprising 1 or more carbons, wherein one carbon of the second side chain portion is linked to the quaternary nitrogen,

I″ has a valency of n′, I″ comprises 1 or more carbons, and I″ comprises n′ heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, wherein the heteroatoms are linked to respective Q′ terminal backbone carbonyl groups,

each E″ is a monovalent second end group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and moieties comprising 1 to 50 carbons, wherein each E″ is linked to a respective Q′ terminal backbone oxygen.

Each Q′ can have an average degree of polymerization of more than one to about 200. Each Q′ can be a homopolymer, random copolymer, or block copolymer comprising the cationic repeat unit.

The cationic polymer can comprise the cationic repeat units singularly or in combination. Each Q′ can further comprise additional repeat units derived from cyclic carbonate and/or cyclic ester comonomers, which can act as diluents for the cationic repeat unit.

Each Q′ preferably has a linear arrangement of repeat units (i.e., each Q′ is a linear polymer chain comprising one polymer branch as opposed to intersecting polymer branches). When Q′ contains two or more polymer chain segments (e.g., as a diblock copolymer chain), the different chain segments are linked by their respective chain ends, no more than two polymer chain ends are linked together by a given linking group, and the respective polymer chain segments are not linked together in the form of a cyclic polymer structure.

I″ can be a residue of a nucleophilic initiator for the ring opening polymerization used to form the basic initial polymer, I′-[P′-E′]_(n′), which serves as a precursor to the cationic polymer. I″ can be a derivative of the residue of a nucleophilic initiator. Each of the above-described heteroatoms of I″ is linked in the form of carbonate, carbamate or thiocarbonate group to a respective Q′ terminal backbone carbonyl group′ (i.e., the carbonyl end of a Q′).

I″ can comprise a biologically active moiety such as, for example, a steroid group and/or a vitamin. I″ can comprise a polymer such as, for example a poly(ethylene oxide) chain segment. In an embodiment, I″ is a residue of a mono-endcapped mono-nucleophilic polyethylene oxide initiator (e.g., mono-methylated polyethylene glycol (mPEG)). In another embodiment, I″ comprises 1 to 50 carbons. In another embodiment, I″ is an alkoxy or aryloxy group comprising 1 to 10 carbons. In another embodiment, I″ is the same as I′.

Each E″ is linked to a terminal backbone oxygen at the opposing end of a respective polymer chain Q′ (i.e., to the oxy end of Q′). When E″ is hydrogen, Q′ has a terminal hydroxy group (i.e., a living chain end capable of initiating another ring opening polymerization). When E″ is not hydrogen, E″ can be any suitable end group comprising 1 to 50 carbons. In an embodiment, E″ is an acyl group comprising 1 to 15 carbons. In another embodiment, E″ is the same as E′.

The cationic repeat unit of the cationic polymer has a structure according to formula (7):

wherein

cationic polymer backbone atoms are numbered 1 to 8,

the starred bonds represent attachment points to other repeat units and/or end groups of the cationic polymer,

each R′ is an independent monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 to 10 carbons,

R″ is a group comprising 1 or more carbons, wherein one carbon of R″ is bonded to the positive charged nitrogen labeled 6,

Y′ is a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, and groups comprising 1 or more carbons, and

X^(⊖) is a negative-charged counterion.

The quaternary nitrogen of formula (7) is bonded to 4 carbons: carbons labeled 5 and 7, the methylene carbon of side chain *—CH₂—Y′, and one carbon of R″. In an embodiment, each R′ is hydrogen.

X^(⊖) can be any suitable negative-charged counterion. In an embodiment, X^(⊖) is selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, and iodide. X^(⊖) counterions can be presented singularly or in combination.

In an embodiment, n′=1. A non-limiting example of a cationic polymer of formula (6) wherein n′=1 is the polycarbonate A-3:

A-3 has one polymer chain Q′ comprising one polymer chain segment. In this example, Q′ is a polycarbonate homopolymer of the cationic repeat unit shown in parentheses. A-3 has a linear polymer structure. Polymer chain Q′ of A-1 has two polymer chain ends linked to respective end groups I″ and E″. The carbonyl end and oxy end of Q′ are indicated by arrows. The cationic repeat unit of A-3 has a structure according to formula (7), wherein each R′ is H, R″ is methyl, X^(⊖) is chloride ion, and Y′ is phenyl. The first end group I″ is benzyloxy, and the second end group E″ is hydrogen. Subscript n′ represents the degree of polymerization and has an average value of 2 to 200. A-3 has a living end containing a primary alcohol, which can potentially initiate a ring opening polymerization.

Another more specific cationic polymer comprises two polymer chains Q′ (n′=2 in formula (6)). In this instance, the cationic polymer can have a structure in accordance with formula (8): E″-Q′-I″-Q′-E″  (8), wherein

each Q′ is an independent divalent polymer chain comprising a cationic repeat unit, wherein the cationic repeat unit comprises i) a backbone portion comprising a backbone carbonate group, ii) a positive-charged backbone quaternary nitrogen linked to 4 carbons, iii) a first side chain portion having a structure *—CH₂—Y′, wherein the starred bond is linked to the backbone quaternary nitrogen, and Y′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and groups comprising 1 or more carbons, and iv) a second side chain portion comprising 1 or more carbons, wherein one carbon of the second side chain portion is linked to the quaternary nitrogen,

I″ is a divalent radical comprising 1 or more carbons, and I″ comprises 2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, wherein each of the heteroatoms is linked to a respective Q′ terminal backbone carbonyl group,

each E″ is an independent monovalent second end group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and moieties comprising 1 to 50 carbons, wherein each E″ is linked to a respective Q′ terminal backbone oxygen.

Each Q′ of formula (8) can have an average degree of polymerization of more than 1 to about 200. Each Q′ can be a homopolymer, random copolymer, or block copolymer comprising the cationic repeat unit.

I″ can comprise a polymer such as, for example, a divalent poly(ethylene oxide) chain. I″ can comprise a biologically active group such as a steroid and/or a vitamin. In an embodiment, I″ is a residue of a di-nucleophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) initiator for the ROP. In another embodiment, I″ comprises 1 to 50 carbons. In another embodiment, I″ is a residue of an ester of 2,2-dimethylol propionic acid. In another embodiment, I″ is the same as I^(a).

Each E″ is linked to the oxy end of a respective Q′.

A non-limiting example of a cationic polymer of formula (8) is A-4:

The cationic polymer A-4 is a linear polymer containing two polymer chains Q′ linked by respective carbonyl ends to divalent linking group I″. Each polymer chain Q′ is a polycarbonate homopolymer of the cationic repeat unit in parentheses. The carbonyl ends and oxy ends of each polymer chain are labeled in A-4. The cationic repeat unit of each Q′ has a structure according to formula (7) wherein each R′ is H, Y′ is phenyl, R″ is methyl, and X^(⊖) is chloride. In this example, I″ is benzyl 2,2-bis(oxymethylene)propionate, and each E″ is hydrogen. Subscripts a′ and b′ represent degree of polymerization and have average values of more than 1 to about 200. The cationic polymer A-4 has two living ends containing primary alcohol groups, which are potentially capable of initiating a ring opening polymerization.

The cationic polymers can be stereospecific or non-stereospecific.

Biologically Active Compounds

E′, E″, I′, and/or I″ can comprise a covalently bound form of a biologically active compound, referred to herein as a biologically active moiety. Biologically active compounds include steroids and vitamins. In an embodiment, the biologically active compound is selected from the group consisting of cholesterol, alpha-tocopherol (a vitamin E compound), ergocalciferol (vitamin D2), and combinations thereof.

As a non-limiting example, I′ of the initial polymer of formula (3) can have a structure S′-L′-* wherein S′ is a steroid group (e.g., a cholesteryl group) and L′ is a single bond or any suitable divalent linking group comprising 1 to about 10 carbons. In this instance, L′ links S′ to the carbonyl end of P′. The steroid group can enhance bio compatibility of the cationic polymer.

The steroid group S′ can originate from a naturally occurring human steroid, non-human steroid, and/or a synthetic steroid compound. Herein, a steroid group comprises a tetracyclic ring structure:

wherein the 17 carbons of the ring system are numbered as shown. The steroid group can comprise one or more additional substituents attached to one or more of the numbered ring positions. Each ring of the tetracyclic ring structure can independently comprise one or more double bonds.

Exemplary steroid groups include cholesteryl, from cholesterol, shown below without stereochemistry:

Non-limiting stereospecific structures of cholesteryl include

where the R,S stereoconfiguration of each stereospecific asymmetric center is labeled.

Additional non-limiting steroid groups include

The starred bonds represent attachment points. For example, the starred bond of each of the above steroid groups can be linked to a terminal carbonyl group of the initial polymer backbone and/or the cationic polymer backbone by way of a divalent linking group L′. Alternatively, the starred bond of the steroid group can be directly linked to a terminal carbonyl group of the initial polymer backbone and/or cationic polymer backbone (i.e., L′ can be a single bond).

Each asymmetric center of a steroid group can be present as the R stereoisomer, S stereoisomer, or as a mixture of R and S stereoisomers. Additional steroid groups S′ include the various stereoisomers of the above structures. The cationic polymer can comprise a steroid group as a single stereoisomer or as a mixture of stereoisomers.

In an embodiment, S′ is cholesteryl group, wherein the cholesteryl group is a mixture of isomers

indicated by the structure

When L′ is a single bond, S′ is linked directly to the terminal carbonyl group of the polycarbonate backbone. In an embodiment, L′ is a divalent linking group comprising an alkylene oxide selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide (*—CH₂CH₂O—*), propylene oxide *—CH₂CH₂CH₂O—*, and/or tri(ethylene oxide) (*—CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂O—*), wherein the starred bond of the oxygen is linked to the terminal carbonyl group of the initial polymer backbone and/or cationic polymer backbone and the starred bond of the carbon is linked to S′.

Ring Opening Polymerization

A preferred method of preparing the disclosed cationic polymers comprises agitating a first mixture comprising a first cyclic monomer of formula (1), a nucleophilic initiator, an organocatalyst, an optional accelerator, and a solvent, thereby forming an initial polymer by a ring opening polymerization, wherein the initial polymer comprises a basic repeat unit of formula (4). Optionally, the first mixture can include a cyclic carbonyl comonomer selected from cyclic carbonates, cyclic esters, and combinations thereof. Treating the initial polymer with a suitable tertiary amine quaternizing agent forms a cationic polymer comprising a cationic repeat unit of formula (7).

The ring-opening polymerization can be performed at a temperature that is about ambient temperature or higher, more specifically 15° C. to 200° C., and even more specifically 20° C. to 80° C. Preferably, the ROP is performed at ambient temperature. Reaction times vary with solvent, temperature, agitation rate, pressure, and equipment, but in general the polymerizations are complete within 1 to 100 hours.

The ROP polymerization is conducted under an inert dry atmosphere, such as nitrogen or argon, and at a pressure of 100 MPa to 500 MPa (1 atm to 5 atm), more typically at a pressure of 100 MPa to 200 MPa (1 atm to 2 atm). At the completion of the reaction, the solvent can be removed using reduced pressure.

Solvents

The ROP reaction can be performed with or without a solvent. Preferably, the ROP is performed using a solvent. Non-limiting solvents include dichloromethane, chloroform, benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, benzotrifluoride, petroleum ether, acetonitrile, pentane, hexane, heptane, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, cyclohexane, diethyl ether, t-butyl methyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, or a combination comprising one of the foregoing solvents. A suitable monomer concentration is about 0.1 to 5 moles per liter, and more particularly about 0.2 to 4 moles per liter.

Comonomers

Non-limiting examples of cyclic carbonate comonomers include the compounds of Table 1. These can be used, for example, to form random copolymers or block copolymers with the first cyclic monomer(s).

TABLE 1

Non-limiting examples of cyclic ester comonomers include the compounds of Table 2.

TABLE 2

Initiators for the ROP

Initiators for the ROP generally include alcohols, amines, and/or thiols. The initiator can comprise one or more nucleophilic groups capable of initiating a ring opening polymerization of the first cyclic monomer.

For the above described cationic polymers having one cationic polymer chain, the ROP initiator can be a mono-nucleophilic initiator comprising 1 to 50 carbons (e.g., ethanol, n-butanol, benzyl alcohol). The ROP initiator can be a biologically active compound selected from the group consisting of steroids, vitamins, and combinations thereof. For example, mono-nucleophilic ROP initiators include cholesterol, alpha-tocopherol, and ergocalciferol.

Other mono-nucleophilic ROP initiators comprise a covalently bound form of a biologically active compound. For example, the initiator can have a structure according to formula (I-1): S′-L^(e)  (I-1), wherein S′ is a steroid moiety or vitamin moiety, and L^(e) is a monovalent group comprising i) 1 to about 10 carbons and ii) a nucleophilic initiating group for the ROP. Non-limiting examples of ROP initiators of formula (I-1) include Chol-OPrOH:

and Chol-OTEG-OH:

In the above examples, S′ is a cholesteryl group.

The residue of the ROP initiator S′-L^(e) initiator is denoted by S′-L′-*, which is linked to the carbonyl end of the initial polymer backbone. The S′-L′-* residue of Chol-OPrOH has the structure:

The S′-L′-* residue of Chol-OTEG-OH has the structure:

The initiator can be a mono-nucleophilic polyether initiator. Exemplary mono-nucleophilic polyether initiators include mono-endcapped poly(ethylene glycols) (e.g., mono-methyl poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG-OH)) and mono-endcapped polypropylene glycols). The polymeric initiator can comprise a nucleophilic chain end group independently selected from the group consisting alcohols, primary amines, secondary amines, and thiols.

The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the polyether initiator can be from 100 to 10000, and even more specifically, 1000 to 5000.

The ROP initiator can be used singularly or in combination with a different ROP initiator (e.g., initiators having different steroid groups and/or different L^(e) groups.) The ROP initiator can be stereospecific or non-stereospecific.

The ROP initiator used to form cationic polymers having two polymer chains is a di-nucleophilic initiator. Exemplary di-nucleophilic ROP initiators include ethylene glycol, butanediol, 1,4-benzenedimethanol, and BnMPA:

An exemplary di-nucleophilic ROP initiator comprising a steroid group is Chol-MPA:

Exemplary di-nucleophilic polyether ROP initiators include poly(ethylene glycol) (referred to as PEG or HO-PEG-OH) having the structure HO—[CH₂CH₂O]_(n)—H and poly(propylene glycol) (referred to as PPG or HO-PPG-OH) having the structure HO—[CH₂C(H)(CH₃)O]_(n)—H, and copolyethers comprising ethylene oxide and propylene oxide repeat units. The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the dinucleophilic polyether initiator can be from 100 to 10000, and even more specifically, 1000 to 5000.

Initiators comprising 3 or more nucleophilic groups can be used to generate star polymers, graft polymers, and the like, which comprise 3 or more polymer chains Q′.

Endcap Agents

The living end (oxy end) of the initial polymer formed by the ROP has a reactive hydroxy group (second end group E′=H), which is capable of initiating another ROP. The living end can be treated with an endcap agent, thereby forming a different end group E′, which is capable of preventing further chain growth and/or stabilizing the polymer against unwanted side reactions such as chain scission. The polymerization and endcapping can occur in the same pot without isolating the initial polymer. Endcap agents include, for example, materials for converting terminal hydroxy groups to esters, such as carboxylic acid anhydrides, carboxylic acid chlorides, and reactive esters (e.g., p-nitrophenyl esters). In an embodiment, the endcap agent is an acylating agent, and the second end group E′ is an acyl group. In another embodiment the acylating agent is acetic anhydride, and the end group E′ is an acetyl group. In another embodiment, the endcap agent comprises a covalently bound form of a steroid group, a vitamin, or a combination thereof.

Quaternizing Agents

No restriction is placed on the quaternizing agent. Exemplary non-limiting quaternizing agents include alkyl halides, alkyl sulfonates, and the like. The quaternizing agent can include a covalently bound form of a biologically active compound such as, for example a steroid, vitamin, and/or drug.

ROP Catalysts

Less preferred catalysts for a ROP polymerization include metal oxides such as tetramethoxy zirconium, tetra-iso-propoxy zirconium, tetra-iso-butoxy zirconium, tetra-n-butoxy zirconium, tetra-t-butoxy zirconium, triethoxy aluminum, tri-n-propoxy aluminum, tri-iso-propoxy aluminum, tri-n-butoxy aluminum, tri-iso-butoxy aluminum, tri-sec-butoxy aluminum, mono-sec-butoxy-di-iso-propoxy aluminum, ethyl acetoacetate aluminum diisopropylate, aluminum tris(ethyl acetoacetate), tetraethoxy titanium, tetra-iso-propoxy titanium, tetra-n-propoxy titanium, tetra-n-butoxy titanium, tetra-sec-butoxy titanium, tetra-t-butoxy titanium, tri-iso-propoxy gallium, tri-iso-propoxy antimony, tri-iso-butoxy antimony, trimethoxy boron, triethoxy boron, tri-iso-propoxy boron, tri-n-propoxy boron, tri-iso-butoxy boron, tri-n-butoxy boron, tri-sec-butoxy boron, tri-t-butoxy boron, tetramethoxy germanium, tetraethoxy germanium, tetra-iso-propoxy germanium, tetra-n-propoxy germanium, tetra-iso-butoxy germanium, tetra-n-butoxy germanium, tetra-sec-butoxy germanium and tetra-t-butoxy germanium; halogenated compounds such as antimony pentachloride, zinc chloride, lithium bromide, tin(IV) chloride, cadmium chloride and boron trifluoride diethyl ether; alkyl aluminum such as trimethyl aluminum, triethyl aluminum, diethyl aluminum chloride, ethyl aluminum dichloride and tri-iso-butyl aluminum; alkyl zinc such as dimethyl zinc, diethyl zinc and diisopropyl zinc; heteropolyacids such as phosphotungstic acid, phosphomolybdic acid, silicotungstic acid and alkali metal salts thereof; zirconium compounds such as zirconium acid chloride, zirconium octanoate, zirconium stearate, and zirconium nitrate.

Preferably, the chemical formula of the catalyst used for the ring opening polymerization does not include an ionic or nonionic form of a metal selected from the group consisting of beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, radium, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, germanium, tin, lead, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, tellurium, polonium, and metals of Groups 3 to 12 of the Periodic Table. Metals of Groups 3 to 12 of the Periodic Table include scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, cadmium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum, gold, mercury, actinium, thorium, protactinium, uranium, neptunium, plutonium, americium, curium, berkelium, californium, einsteinium, fermium, mendelevium, nobelium, lawrencium, rutherfordium, dubnium, seaborgium, bohrium, hassium, meitnerium, darmstadtium, roentgenium, and copernicium.

Preferred catalysts are organocatalysts whose chemical formulas contain none of the above metals. Examples of organocatalysts for ring opening polymerizations include tertiary amines such as triallylamine, triethylamine, tri-n-octylamine and benzyldimethylamine 4-dimethylaminopyridine, phosphines, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC), bifunctional aminothioureas, phosphazenes, amidines, and guanidines.

A more specific organocatalyst is N-bis(3,5-trifluoromethyl)phenyl-N′-cyclohexylthiourea (TU):

Other ROP organocatalysts comprise at least one 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol-2-yl (HFP) group. Singly-donating hydrogen bond catalysts have the formula (28): R²—C(CF₃)₂OH  (C-1), wherein R² represents a hydrogen or a monovalent radical having 1 to 20 carbons, for example an alkyl group, substituted alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, substituted cycloalkyl group, heterocycloalkyl group, substituted heterocycloalkyl group, aryl group, substituted aryl group, or a combination thereof. Exemplary singly-donating hydrogen bonding catalysts are listed in Table 3.

TABLE 3

Doubly-donating hydrogen bonding catalysts have two HFP groups, represented by the formula (29):

wherein R³ is a divalent radical bridging group comprising 1 to 20 carbons, such as an alkylene group, a substituted alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, substituted cycloalkylene group, a heterocycloalkylene group, substituted heterocycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a substituted arylene group, and a combination thereof. Representative double hydrogen bonding catalysts of formula (C-2) include those listed in Table 4. In a specific embodiment, R² is an arylene or substituted arylene group, and the HFP groups occupy positions meta to each other on the aromatic ring.

TABLE 4

In one embodiment, the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of 4-HFA-St, 4-HFA-Tol, HFTB, NFTB, HPIP, 3,5-HFA-MA, 3,5-HFA-St, 1,3-HFAB, 1,4-HFAB, and combinations thereof.

Also contemplated are catalysts comprising HFP-containing groups bound to a support. In one embodiment, the support comprises a polymer, a crosslinked polymer bead, an inorganic particle, or a metallic particle. HFP-containing polymers can be formed by known methods including direct polymerization of an HFP-containing monomer (for example, the methacrylate monomer 3,5-HFA-MA or the styryl monomer 3,5-HFA-St). Functional groups in HFP-containing monomers that can undergo direct polymerization (or polymerization with a comonomer) include acrylate, methacrylate, alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluoromethacrylate, alpha-halomethacrylate, acrylamido, methacrylamido, norbornene, vinyl, vinyl ether, and other groups known in the art. Examples of linking groups include C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, a C₁-C₁₂ heteroalkyl, ether group, thioether group, amino group, ester group, amide group, or a combination thereof. Also contemplated are catalysts comprising charged HFP-containing groups bound by ionic association to oppositely charged sites on a polymer or a support surface.

The ROP reaction mixture comprises at least one organocatalyst and, when appropriate, several organocatalysts together. The ROP catalyst is added in a proportion of 1/20 to 1/40,000 moles relative to the cyclic carbonyl monomers, and preferably in a proportion of 1/1,000 to 1/20,000 moles relative to the cyclic carbonyl monomers.

ROP Accelerators

The ROP polymerization can be conducted in the presence of an optional accelerator, in particular a nitrogen base. Exemplary nitrogen base accelerators are listed below and include pyridine (Py), N,N-dimethylaminocyclohexane (Me₂NCy), 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), trans 1,2-bis(dimethylamino)cyclohexane (TMCHD), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD), 7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (MTBD), (−)-sparteine, (Sp) 1,3-bis(2-propyl)-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene (Im-1), 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (Im-2), 1,3-bis(2,6-di-i-propylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (Im-3), 1,3-bis(1-adamantyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (Im-4), 1,3-di-i-propylimidazol-2-ylidene (Im-5), 1,3-di-t-butylimidazol-2-ylidene (Im-6), 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (Im-7), 1,3-bis(2,6-di-i-propylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene, 1,3-bis(2,6-di-i-propylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (Im-8) or a combination thereof, shown in Table 5.

TABLE 5

In an embodiment, the accelerator has two or three nitrogens, each capable of participating as a Lewis base, as for example in the structure (−)-sparteine. Stronger bases generally improve the polymerization rate.

The catalyst and the accelerator can be the same material. For example, some ring opening polymerizations can be conducted using 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) alone, with no another catalyst or accelerator present.

The catalyst is preferably present in an amount of about 0.2 to 20 mol %, 0.5 to 10 mol %, 1 to 5 mol %, or 1 to 2.5 mol %, based on total moles of cyclic carbonyl monomer.

The nitrogen base accelerator, when used, is preferably present in an amount of 0.1 to 5.0 mol %, 0.1 to 2.5 mol %, 0.1 to 1.0 mol %, or 0.2 to 0.5 mol %, based on total moles of cyclic carbonyl monomer. As stated above, in some instances the catalyst and the nitrogen base accelerator can be the same compound, depending on the particular cyclic carbonyl monomer.

The initiator groups are preferably present in an amount of 0.001 to 10.0 mol %, 0.1 to 2.5 mol %, 0.1 to 1.0 mol %, or 0.2 to 0.5 mol %, based on total moles of cyclic carbonyl monomer.

In a specific embodiment, the catalyst is present in an amount of about 0.2 to 20 mol %, the nitrogen base accelerator is present in an amount of 0.1 to 5.0 mol %, and the nucleophilic initiator groups of the initiator are present in an amount of 0.1 to 5.0 mol % based on total moles of cyclic carbonate monomer.

The catalysts can be removed by selective precipitation or, in the case of the solid supported catalysts, by filtration. The catalyst can be present in an amount of 0 wt % (weight percent) to about 20 wt %, preferably 0 wt % (weight percent) to about 0.5 wt % based on the total weight of the cationic polymer and the residual catalyst. The cationic polymer preferably comprises no residual catalyst.

Average Molecular Weight

The cationic polymers have a number average molecular weight (Mn) as determined by size exclusion chromatography of about 1500 to about 50,000, more specifically about 1500 to about 30,000. The precursor polymer to the cationic polymer and/or the cationic polymer preferably has a polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.01 to about 1.5, more particularly 1.01 to 1.30, and even more particularly 1.01 to 1.25.

In some instances, the cationic polymers can self-assemble into nanoparticulate micelles in de-ionized water. The cationic polymers can have a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of about 15 mg/L to about 500 mg/L.

Utility

The micelles can have a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for microbial growth of about 7 mg/L to about 500 mg/L. The MIC can be below the CMC, meaning the antimicrobial activity is not dependent on self-assembly of the cationic polymers. In an embodiment, the cationic polymer comprises a homopolymer of the cationic repeat.

Further disclosed is a method of treating a microbe, comprising contacting a microbe with a disclosed cationic polymer, thereby killing the microbe.

For the examples below, the following definitions are applicable.

HC50 is defined as the concentration (in mg/L) of cationic polymer that causes 50% of mammalian red blood cells to undergo hemolysis. HC50 values of 500 mg/L or higher are desirable.

HC20 is defined as the concentration (in mg/L) of cationic polymer that causes 20% of mammalian red blood cells to undergo hemolysis. HC20 values of 500 mg/L or higher are desirable.

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is defined as the minimum concentration (in mg/L) of cationic polymer required to inhibit growth of a given microbe for an eighteen hour period. A MIC less than 500 mg/L is desirable. Even more desirable is a MIC of 250 mg/L or less. A lower MIC indicates higher antimicrobial activity.

Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) is defined as the minimum concentration (in mg/L) of cationic polymer required to kill a given microbe at 99.9% efficiency over 18 hours. A lower MBC indicates higher antimicrobial activity.

HC50 selectivity is defined as the ratio of HC50/MIC. An HC50 selectivity of 3 or more is desirable. Higher HC50 selectivity values indicate more activity against microbial cells and less toxicity to mammalian cells. Likewise, HC20 selectivity is defined as the ratio of HC20/MIC. An HC20 selectivity of 3 or more is desirable.

Non-limiting microbes include Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli), Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), fungus Candida albicans (C. albicans), Gram-positive Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Gram-positive Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Gram-negative Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii), yeast Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans), and Gram-negative Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae).

The cationic polymers are generally non-hemolytic up to 1000 mg/L (1000 ppm). The cationic polymers can also be non-cytotoxic at concentrations up to 1000 micrograms per milliliter. In some cases, cell viability of human fibroblast cells incubated with the cationic polymers was more than 90%. The cationic polymers can also inhibit or eradicate a biofilm.

The biodegradability, low average mass, high antimicrobial activity, and low cytotoxicity make these cationic polymers highly attractive for a wide range of medical and household uses, including wound treatments, treatment of infections, antibiotic drugs, and disinfectants for household and hospital surfaces and medical instruments. In an embodiment, a medical composition comprises one or more of the disclosed cationic polymers. The medical composition can comprise water, and the concentration of the cationic polymer can be below the critical micelle concentration of the cationic polymer. The medical composition can be a drug. The drug can be a solution, gel, powder, pill, paste, or ointment. The drug can be delivered orally, by injection, by spray, by inhalant, by dermal patch, and/or as a topically applied ointment.

The following examples demonstrate the preparation and properties of the cationic polymers.

EXAMPLES

Materials used in the following examples are listed in Table 6.

TABLE 6 ABBREVIATION DESCRIPTION SUPPLIER Me-DEA N-methyl Diethanolamine Sigma-Aldrich Bu-DEA N-Butyl Diethanolamine Sigma-Aldrich Bn-DEA N-Benzyl Diethanolamine Sigma-Aldrich tBu-DEA N-tert-Butyl Diethanolamine Sigma-Aldrich Ph-DEA N-Phenyl Diethanolamine Sigma-Aldrich Ac-DEA N-Acetyl Diethanolamine prepared below BOC-DEA N-BOC Diethanolamine Sigma-Aldrich Diethylene Glycol Sigma-Aldrich 2,2′-Thiodiethanol Sigma-Aldrich 1,5-Pentanediol Sigma-Aldrich DBU l,8-Diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene Sigma-Aldrich p-Chloromethyl Benzyl Alcohol Sigma-Aldrich TMA Trimethylamine Sigma-Aldrich DCM Dichloromethane Sigma-Aldrich

Herein, Mn is the number average molecular weight, Mw is the weight average molecular weight, and MW is the molecular weight of one molecule.

N-(3,5-trifluoromethyl)phenyl-N′-cyclohexyl-thiourea (TU) was prepared as reported by R. C. Pratt, B. G. G. Lohmeijer, D. A. Long, P. N. P. Lundberg, A. Dove, H. Li, C. G. Wade, R. M. Waymouth, and J. L. Hedrick, Macromolecules, 2006, 39 (23), 7863-7871, and dried by stirring in dry THF over CaH₂, filtering, and removing solvent under vacuum.

Monomer Synthesis

N-Acetyl diethanolamine was prepared according to the following procedure. A flask was charged with diethanolamine (10 g, 95.1 mmol), triethylamine (13.3 mL, 95.1 mmol) and methanol (75 mL). The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C. and acetic anhydride (9.2 g, 90.0 mmol) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred 2 hours, warmed to room temperature, and allowed to stir overnight. Volatiles were removed, the crude product was dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 mL) and washed with 10% HCl (3×), saturated potassium carbonate (3×) and brine. The solvent was removed yielding 9.2 g (66%) yellow oil.

BnMPA has the following structure:

BnMPA and other cyclic carbonate monomers can be prepared from 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic (BisMPA) according to Scheme 1.

BisMPA can be converted (i) to the benzyl ester BnMPA using known methods. Reaction of BnMPA with triphosgene (ii) produces cyclic carbonyl monomer, MTCOBn. Debenzylation of MTCOBn (iii) produces 5-methyl-5-carboxyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one (MTCOH). Two pathways are shown for forming an ester from MTCOH. In the first pathway, (iv), MTCOH is treated with a suitable carboxy activating agent, such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), which reacts with ROH to form MTCOR in a single step. Alternatively, MTCOH can be converted first (v) to the acid chloride MTCCl followed by treatment (vi) of MTCCl with ROH in the presence of a base to form MTCOR. Both pathways are illustrative and are not meant to be limiting. The following conditions are typical for the reactions shown in Scheme 1: (i) Benzylbromide (BnBr), KOH, DMF, 100° C., 15 hours, 62% yield of BnMPA; (ii) triphosgene, pyridine, CH₂C₁₂, −78° C. to 0° C., 95% yield of MTCOBn; (iii) Pd/C (10%), H₂ (3 atm), EtOAc, room temperature, 24 hours, 99% yield of MTCOH; (iv) ROH, DCC, THF, room temperature, 1 to 24 hours; (v) (COCl)₂, THF, room temperature, 1 hour, 99% yield of MTCCl; (vi) ROH, NEt₃, room temperature, 3 hours yields MTCOR.

Example 1 Preparation of 6-methyl-1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-one (DXA-Me)

A round bottom flask was charged with N-methyl diethanolamine (10.0 g, 83.9 mmol), triethylamine (24.0 mL, 167.8 mmol), dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) (600 mL) and stirbar. The reaction flask was cooled to −20° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. Separately, triphosgene (8.3 g, 28.8 mmol) was dissolved in dry THF (100 mL) and added slowly to the reaction mixture. A white precipitate formed instantly and stirring was continued for another 2 hours maintaining a reaction temperature less than 10° C. Diethyl ether (800 mL) was added to further precipitate any remaining HCl salts followed by filtration of the heterogeneous solution. The filtrate was concentrated yielding a yellow/brown oil product (10.4 g, 85%).

Example 2 Preparation of 6-butyl-1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-one (DXA-Bu)

The procedure of Example 1 was followed using N-butyl diethanolamine (13.5 g, 83.9 mmol), triethylamine (24.0 mL, 167.8 mmol), dry THF (600 mL) and triphosgene (8.3 g, 28.8 mmol). The filtrate was concentrated yielding a yellow/brown oil product (12.9 g, 82%).

Example 3 Preparation of 6-benzyl-1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-one (DXA-Bn)

The procedure of Example 1 was followed using N-benzyl diethanolamine (16.4 g, 83.9 mmol), triethylamine (24.0 mL, 167.8 mmol), dry THF (600 mL) and triphosgene (8.3 g, 28.8 mmol). The filtrate was concentrated yielding a yellow oil product (14.5 g, 78%).

Comparative Example 4 Preparation of 6-tert-butyl-1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-one (DXA-tBu)

The procedure of Example 1 was followed using N-tert-butyl diethanolamine (16.4 g, 83.9 mmol), triethylamine (24.0 mL, 167.8 mmol), dry THF (600 mL) and triphosgene (8.3 g, 28.8 mmol). The filtrate was concentrated yielding a clear oil containing a non-isolable amount of product within a mixture of oligomeric diethanolamines.

Example 5 Preparation of 6-phenyl-1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-one (DXA-Ph

The procedure of Example 1 was followed using N-phenyldiethanolamine (15.2 g, 83.9 mmol), triethylamine (24.0 mL, 167.8 mmol), dry THF (600 mL) and triphosgene (8.3 g, 28.8 mmol). The filtrate was concentrated yielding a clear oil containing a mixture of products. The product was purified using a column chromatography EtOAc:Hexanes (3:1) yielding 3.3 g (19%) of a clear oil which turned brown over time.

Comparative Example 6 Attempted Preparation of 6-acetyl-1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-one (DXA-Ac)

The procedure of Example 1 was followed using N-acetyl diethanolamine (12.3 g, 83.9 mmol), triethylamine (24.0 mL, 167.8 mmol), dry THF (600 mL) and triphosgene (8.3 g, 28.8 mmol). The filtrate was concentrated yielding only oligomeric compounds.

Comparative Example 7 Attempted Preparation of 6-Boc-1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-one (DXA-Boc)

The procedure of Example 1 was followed using N-boc diethanolamine (3 g, 14.6 mmol), triethylamine (4.1 mL, 29.2 mmol), dry dichloromethane (100 mL) and triphosgene (1.4 g, 4.9 mmol). The filtrate was concentrated yielding only oligomeric compounds.

Comparative Example 8 Attempted Preparation of 1,3,6-trioxocan-2-one (TXA)

The procedure of Example 1 was followed using diethylene glycol (8.9 g, 83.9 mmol), triethylamine (24.0 mL, 167.8 mmol), dry THF (600 mL) and triphosgene (8.3 g, 28.8 mmol). The filtrate was concentrated yielding only oligomeric compounds.

Comparative Example 9 Attempted Preparation of 1,3,6-dioxathiocan-2-one (DXT)

The procedure of Example 1 was followed using 2,2′-thiodiethanol (10.2 g, 83.9 mmol), triethylamine (24.0 mL, 167.8 mmol), dry THF (600 mL) and triphosgene (8.3 g, 28.8 mmol). The filtrate was concentrated yielding only oligomeric compounds.

Comparative Example 10 Attempted Preparation of Pentamethylene Carbonate (PMC)

The procedure of Example 1 was followed using 1,5-pentanediol (1 g, 9.6 mmol), triethylamine (2.8 mL, 20.2 mmol), dry THF (100 mL) and triphosgene (0.96 g, 3.24 mmol). The filtrate was concentrated yielding only oligomeric compounds.

Cyclizations of the above diols were also attempted using ethyl chloroformate, and bis(pentafluorophenyl) carbonate (PFC). Table 7 summarizes the results.

TABLE 7 Cyclic Cycli- Cyclization Yield (%) Product zation Ethyl Polymer- Example Diol Product Triphosgene Chloroformate PFC izable? 1 N-Methyl diethanolamine DXA-Me 85  >95  >95  yes 2 N-Butyl diethanolamine DXA-Bu 82  n/a n/a yes 3 N-Benzyl diethanolamine DXA-Bn 78  n/a n/a yes 4 N-tert-Butyl diethanolamine DXA-tBu 0 0 0 n/a 5 N-Phenyl diethanolamine DXA-Ph 19^(a) 0 0 yes 6 N-Acetyl diethanolamine DXA-Ac 0 0 0 n/a 7 N-Boc-diethanolamine DXA-Boc 0 0 0 n/a 8 Diethylene Glycol TXA 0 0 0 n/a 9 Thiodiethanol DXT 0 0 0 n/a 10 1,5-pentanediol PMC 0 0 0 n/a ^(a)multiple derivatives reported ^(b) n/a = not attempted

Using the following structure as a guide,

the results in Table 7 indicate that cyclization to form 8-membered cyclic carbonates using triphosgene, bis(pentafluorophenyl) carbonate, and ethyl chloroformate is favored when X′ is nitrogen and Y′ is a methyl group or a group comprising a methylene group linked directly to X′.

Ring Opening Polymerizations

Examples 11-14 Preparation of P-4, Example 14 is Representative

In a nitrogen filled glove box a vial was charged with BnMPA (0.0039 g, 0.0172 mmol), 6-methyl-1,3,6-dioxazocan-2-one (0.5 g, 3.44 mmol), dichloromethane (1.5 g) and a stirbar. The polymerization was initiated via addition of DBU (0.016 mL, 0.1 mmol). After complete monomer conversion (˜18 hours) the reaction mixture was precipitated into diethyl ether and collected by centrifugation yielding 0.48 g (96%) white amorphous polymer (Mn 20 kDa; PDI 1.14, n=200).

Using the above procedure, a molecular weight series was generated by varying the amount of initiator BnMPA with respect to the cyclic carbonate monomer DXA-Me, summarized in Table 8 below. FIG. 1 is a graph of Mn as a function of average degree of polymerization (DP) for polymers P-1 to P-4.

Example 15 Preparation of P-5

Polymer P-5 was prepared using DXA-Bu and Me-DEA as the dinucleophilic initiator. In a nitrogen filled glovebox a vial was charged with Me-DEA (0.0032 g, 0.026 mmol), DXA-Bu (1.0 g, 5.34 mmol) and DCM (1.5 g). The polymerization was initiated by the addition of DBU (0.080 mL, 0.53 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred until complete monomer consumption followed by immediate precipitation into ether, yielding 0.91 g (90%) of off-white polymer; Mn=30.0 kDa, PDI-1.22, n=200.

Example 16 Preparation of P-6

Polymer P-6 was prepared using DXA-Bn and tBu-DEA as the dinucleophilic initiator. In a nitrogen filled glovebox a vial was charged with tBu-DEA (0.0044 g, 0.027 mmol), DXA-Bn (0.30 g, 1.35 mmol) and DCM (0.65 g). The polymerization was initiated by the addition of DBU (0.021 mL, 0.135 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred until complete monomer consumption followed by immediate precipitation into ether, yielding 0.28 g (93%) of off-white polymer; Mn=17.5 kDa, PDI-1.36, n=50.

Table 8 summarizes polymers P-1 to P-6. DP is the average degree of polymerization, Mn is the number average molecular weight, PDI is polydispersity (Mw/Mn).

TABLE 8 Monomer Initiator Yield DP Example Name Monomer (mmol) Initiator (mmol) (%) (n) Mn PDI 11 P-1 DXA-Me 3.44 BnMPA 0.0172 93 20 3646 1.09 12 P-2 DXA-Me 3.44 BnMPA 0.0172 95 50 7924 1.09 13 P-3 DXA-Me 3.44 BnMPA 0.0172 95 100 13544 1.11 14 P-4 DXA-Me 3.44 BnMPA 0.0172 92 200 25300 1.17 15 P-5 DXA-Bu 3.44 Me-DEA 0.0172 90 50 11600 1.22 16 P-6 DXA-Bn 3.44 tBu-DEA 0.0172 93 50 17500 1.36

Quaternization Examples 17-19

The following procedure to form quaternary polymer Q-3 from P-4 (Example 19) is representative.

A vial was charged with P-4 (1 g, 8.4 mmol eq.), DMF (10 mL) and a stirbar. Excess methyl iodide (2.4 g, 16.8 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 6 hours under ambient conditions. The mixture was then slowly added to stirred THF causing the polymer to precipitate as an off-white amorphous solid, which was dried under vacuum (2.3 g, 95%).

Using the above procedure, polymers P-2 and P-3 were also quaternized with methyl iodide (MeI) to form polymers Q-1 and Q-2, respectively. Table 9 summarizes the quaternary polymers formed.

TABLE 9 Initial DP MeI Quaternization Example Name Polymer (n) (equiv) (%) 17 Q-1 P-2 50 2 >99 18 Q-2 P-3 100 2 >99 19 Q-3 P-4 200 2 >99 Biological Measurements Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)

Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, ATCC No. 29737), Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli, ATCC No. 25922), Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa, ATCC No. 9027), and Candida albicans (C. albicans, a fungus, (ATCC No. 10231) were re-constituted from the lyophilized form. Bacterial samples were cultured in tryptic soy broth (TSB) at 37° C. under constant shaking of 300 rpm. The MICs of the polymers were measured using the broth microdilution method. 100 microliters of tryptic soy broth (TSB) containing a polymer at various concentrations was placed into each well of a 96-well tissue culture plate. An equal volume of bacterial suspension (3×10⁵ CFU/ml), where CFU means colony forming units, was added into each well. Prior to mixing, the bacterial sample was first inoculated overnight to enter its log growth phase. The concentration of bacterial solution was adjusted to give an initial optical density (O.D.) reading of approximately 0.07 at 600 nm wavelength on microplate reader (TECAN, Switzerland), which corresponds to the concentration of McFarland 1 solution (3×10⁸ CFU/ml). The bacterial solution was further diluted by 1000 times to achieve an initial loading of 3×10⁵ CFU/ml. The 96-well plate was kept in an incubator at 37° C. under constant shaking of 300 rpm for 18 hours. The MIC was taken as the concentration of the antimicrobial polymer at which no microbial growth was observed with unaided eyes and microplate reader (TECAN, Switzerland) at the end of 18 hours incubation. Broth containing microbial cells alone was used as negative control, and each test was carried out in 6 replicates.

Table 10 lists the MIC (mg/L), HC50 (mg/L), and HC selectivity values for the cationic polymers Q-1 to Q-3 (Examples 17-19) against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans.

TABLE 10 Hemolysis DP MIC (mg/L) selectivity Example Name (n) S. aureus E. coli P. aeruginosa C. albicans HC₅₀ (HC₅₀/MIC) 12 P-2 50 >1000 >1000 >1000 >1000 >1000 ND 13 P-3 100 >1000 >1000 >1000 >1000 >1000 ND 14 P-4 200 >1000 >1000 >1000 >1000 >1000 ND 17 Q-1 50 31 250 250 63 >1000 >4.0 to >32.3 18 Q-2 100 31 63 250 63 >1000 >4.0 to >32.3 19 Q-3 200 31 63 125 63 >1000 >8.0 to >32.3 ND = not determined

Lower MIC (500 mg/L or less) and higher HC50 (500 mg/L or more) represent preferred performance. An HC selectivity (HC50/MIC) value of 3 or more is also preferred. Each of the polymers was active against each of the four microbes, with Q-3 being the most active based on relative performance against P. aeruginosa.

Hemolytic Activity Testing of Cationic Polymers

Fresh rat blood cells were subjected to 25× dilution with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to obtain an approximate 4% v/v suspension for use in this experiment. Red blood cell suspension (300 microliters) was added to each tube containing an equal volume (300 microliters) of polymer solution in PBS (with final polymer concentrations ranging from 3.9 mg/L to 1000 mg/L). The tubes were then incubated at 37° C. for 1 hour before they were centrifuged at 1000×g (g=relative centrifugal force) for 5 minutes. Aliquots (100 microliters) of supernatant were transferred to each well of a 96-well plate and analyzed for hemoglobin release at 576 nm using a microplate reader (TECAN, Switzerland). Red blood cells suspension incubated with PBS was used as negative control. Absorbance of red blood cells lyzed with 0.1% v/v Triton X-100 was used as the positive control and taken to be 100% hemolytic. Percentage of hemolysis was calculated using the following formula: Hemolysis (%)=[(O.D._(576 nm) of treated sample−O.D.₅₇₆ nm of negative control)/(O.D.₅₇₆ nm of positive control−O.D.₅₇₆ nm of negative control)]×100. Data are expressed as mean±standard deviations of 4 replicates.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the % hemolysis of rat red blood cells as a function of concentration (mg/L) of cationic polymer Examples 21-23 (Q-1 to Q-3). About 0% hemolysis was observed for each of these polymers up to the highest concentration of 1000 ppm.

Cytotoxicity Testing of Cationic Polymers

Human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells or human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells were maintained in DMEM growth medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), sodium pyruvate, 100 U/mL penicillin and 100 mg/mL streptomycin and cultured at 37° C. under an atmosphere of 5% CO₂ and 95% humidified air. The cytotoxicity of polymers Q-1 to Q-3 against each cell line was studied using the standard 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay protocol. HDF cells (or HEK293) were seeded onto 96-well plates at a density of 1×10⁴ cells per well and allowed to adhere overnight. The polymers were first dissolved in high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) grade water and serially diluted using Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) growth medium to achieve polymer concentrations ranging from 3.9 mg/L to 1000 mg/L with water concentration fixed at 10% v/v for each condition. Polymer solution (100 microliters) was added to the cells in each well, and the plate was allowed to incubate for 48 hours at 37° C. Subsequently, 100 microliters of growth media and 10 microliters of MTT solution (5 mg/ml in PBS) were added to each well and the cells were incubated for 4 hours at 37° C. according to the manufacturer's directions. Resultant formazan crystals formed in each well were solubilized using 150 microliters of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) upon removal of growth media, and the absorbance was determined using a microplate spectrophotometer at wavelengths of 550 nm and 690 nm. Relative cell viability was expressed as [(A₅₅₀−A₆₉₀)_(sample)/(A₅₅₀−A₆₉₀)_(control)]×100%. Data are expressed as mean±standard deviations of 3 to 4 replicates per polymer concentration.

FIG. 3 is a bar graph showing the percent cell viability of HDF and HEK293 cells as a function of cationic polymer concentration. Higher percent cell viability values are desirable at a given concentration. Each of Q-1 to Q-3 was non-toxic to both cell lines at all concentrations up to 1000 micrograms per milliliter.

Killing Efficiency of Cationic Polymers

Similar to MIC testing, 100 microliters of TSB containing a polymer at various concentrations (0, MIC and 2.0MIC) were placed into each well of a 96-well tissue culture plate. An equal volume of bacterial suspension (3×10⁵ CFU/ml), where CFU means colony forming units, was added into each well. Prior to mixing, the bacterial sample was first inoculated overnight to enter its log growth phase. The concentration of bacterial solution was adjusted to give an initial optical density (O.D.) reading of approximately 0.07 at 600 nm wavelength on a microplate reader (TECAN, Switzerland), which corresponds to the concentration of McFarland 1 solution (3×10⁸ CFU/ml). The bacterial solution was further diluted by 1000 times to achieve an initial loading of 3×10⁵ CFU/ml. The 96-well plate was kept in an incubator at 37° C. under constant shaking of 300 rpm for 18 hours. The respective samples were then subjected to a series of ten-fold dilutions and plated onto lysogeny broth (LB) agar plates. The plates were then incubated overnight and counted for colony-forming units. A sample containing microbes treated with broth containing 10% v/v water was used as a control.

FIGS. 4 to 7 are graphs showing the relationship between colony forming units/mL of S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans as a function of Q-3 concentration, respectively. For each microbe, the CFU count was zero at a cationic polymer concentration of 1×MIC. Thus, Q-3 achieved 99.999% killing efficiency at 1×MIC (i.e., the MBC is equal to the MIC).

Time-Kill Studies

S. aureus, C. albicans, and E. coli were treated with Q-3 at 1, 2, 4, and 8×MIC for up to 18 hours. The bar charts of FIGS. 8 to 10 show that Q-3 achieved 99.9% killing efficiency at 8×MIC and 1 minute. No growth was observed for S. aureus out to 18 hours (inset of FIG. 8).

FIG. 11 is a bar graph showing the biomass of biofilm of E. coli and S. aureus as a function of Q-3 concentration (2, 4, 8, 10, 12, and 16×MIC). The percent cell viability of E. coli and S. aureus at each concentration are plotted in FIG. 12 for comparison. Q-3 lysed S. aureus and E. coli biofilms effectively at 8×MIC after a single treatment.

Mechanism of Antimicrobial Properties

The morphological changes of S. aureus and E. coli cells were observed by FE-SEM after treatment with the cationic polymer Q-3 for 2 hours. As can be seen in the magnification series of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of FIG. 13, treatment of S. aureus with Q-3 at a lethal concentration (250 mg/L) for 2 hours results in significant membrane damage to S. aureus (right-most image). The SEM images of FIG. 14 show the treatment of E. coli with Q-3 at a lethal concentration (500 mg/L) for 2 hours also results in significant membrane damage to (right-most image). These results indicate that Q-3 interacts with the membrane of bacterial and yeast cells by forming pores and eventually leads to disruption of the bacterial and yeast membranes.

CONCLUSION

Biodegradable cationic polycarbonates having a main chain quaternary nitrogen were prepared and shown to be highly effective in killing Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbes. The cationic polymers are also effective in inhibiting or eradicating biofilms at low concentration. The cationic polymers can be non-hemolytic and non-cytotoxic.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. When a range is used to express a possible value using two numerical limits X and Y (e.g., a concentration of X ppm to Y ppm), unless otherwise stated the value can be X, Y, or any number between X and Y.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cationic polymer of formula (6): I″-[Q′-E″]n′  (6), wherein n′ is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, each Q′ is an independent divalent polymer chain, I″ has a valency of n′, I″ comprises 1 or more carbons, and I″ comprises n′ heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, wherein each of the heteroatoms is linked to a respective Q′ terminal backbone carbonyl group, each E′ is a monovalent end group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and moieties comprising 1 to 50 carbons, wherein each E″ is linked to a respective Q′ terminal backbone oxygen, each Q′ comprises a cationic repeat unit of formula (7):

wherein each R′ is hydrogen, R″ is a group comprising 1 or more carbons, wherein one carbon of R″ is bonded to the positive charged nitrogen, *—CH₂—Y′ is a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, benzyl, and substituted benzyl, X^(⊖) is a negative-charged counterion.
 2. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein I″ is a residue of an initiator for a ring opening polymerization used to form Q′.
 3. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein Q′ is a polycarbonate homopolymer of the cationic repeat unit.
 4. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein n′ is 1 and I″ is a residue of a mono-nucleophilic initiator used to form Q′ by ring opening polymerization.
 5. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein each Q′ has an average degree of polymerization of between 1 and
 200. 6. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein each E′ is hydrogen.
 7. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein R″ is methyl.
 8. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein *—CH₂—Y′ is methyl.
 9. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein *—CH₂—Y′ is ethyl.
 10. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein *—CH₂—Y′ is propyl.
 11. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein *—CH₂—Y′ is butyl.
 12. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein *—CH₂—Y′ is benzyl.
 13. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein X^(⊖) is a halide selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, and iodide.
 14. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein the cationic polymer is derived by ring opening polymerization of a compound of formula (1):

wherein each R′ is hydrogen, and *—CH₂—Y′ is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, benzyl, and substituted benzyl.
 15. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein the cationic polymer is an effective antimicrobial agent against a microbe selected from the group consisting of Gram-negative microbes, Gram-positive microbes, yeast, fungi, and combinations thereof.
 16. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein the cationic polymer is effective in inhibiting growth of a biofilm.
 17. The cationic polymer of claim 1, wherein the cationic polymer has an HC50 value greater than 1000 mg/L.
 18. A method of killing a microbe, comprising contacting the microbe with the cationic polymer of claim
 1. 19. A medical composition comprising one or more of the cationic polymers of claim
 11. 20. A cationic polymer of formula(8): E″-Q′-I″-Q′-E″  (8), wherein each Q′ is an independent divalent polymer chain, I″ is a divalent radical comprising 1 or more carbons, and I″ comprises 2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, wherein each of the heteroatoms is linked to a respective Q′ terminal backbone carbonyl group, each E′ is an independent monovalent end group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and moieties comprising 1 to 50 carbons, wherein each E″ is linked to a respective Q′ terminal backbone oxygen, each Q′ comprises a cationic repeat unit of formula (7):

wherein each R′ is hydrogen, R″ is a group comprising 1 or more carbons, wherein one carbon of R″ is bonded to the positive charged nitrogen, *—CH₂—Y′ is a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, benzyl, and substituted benzyl, and X^(⊖) is a negative-charged counterion. 